(7 June 2010 – Miyota, Nagano Prefecture, Japan)
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Her previous best finish was a tie for 17th but Yoshimi Koda surprised everyone with a solid win at the Resort Trust Ladies on Sunday. She posted a final round of 6-under par 66 to finish at 14-under par to eventually run out a three shot winner over compatriot Hiromi Takesue. Four players finished tied for third; the Japanese trio of Rui Kitada, Mie Nikata and Ritsuku Ryu along with Korea’s Bo-Bae Song.
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rnKoda, Song, Takesue and Mayu Hattori headed into the final round one shot behind Ryu who sat on 9-under par. Another group, including Kitada and Nikata were a shot further back on 7-under and the final day shaped up as an enthralling battle between some of the players who aren’t necessarily at the forefront of the Japanese Tour.
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rnKoda, in her second season had missed 9 of 13 cuts, but played the front nine like a seasoned campaigner with three birdies and no bogeys. This gave her a lead which she wouldn’t relinquish. She did however post back-to-back bogeys on the 12th and 13th holes to give the others a chance. Kitada made the most of the opportunity with three straight birdies from the 13th to join Koda in a share of the lead after 15 holes.
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rnKoda would go on to birdie four of her last five holes, rolling in putts of 14 and 20 feet on the 14th and 15th holes respectively. She sealed her maiden title with another two birdies to finish and said later, “I’m thrilled that I won by shooting the best round of my career at such a crucial time. I hope this win is going to be a stepping stone for my career.”
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rnNikki Campbell again posted a Top-20 finish, her seventh in a row, and sits 15th on the Money List with ¥17,091,475 in earnings to date this year (approx. AUD$225,437).
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Photo courtesy of LPGA of Japan.